Help please! New, I have a Tortoise moving in!

Hello everyone! Thank you in advance for your help!

My name is Mayra, I am new to the tortoise world! My friend no longer wants her Tort and I decided to take it in instead of it going somewhere else.. The problem is 1. I have no idea how to take care of one.. and 2. I have no idea what species it is or gender so I don’t know how to prepare for what it’ll need. I’ll provide some pictures to hopefully get some help from you guys. I live in Southern California by the way. If that helps at all.

Thanks again!

Hi, welcome!

You've got a Sulcata tortoise. He/she is going to get much larger, so be prepared. It helps that your in California, as you'll be able to provide lots of outdoor exposure.

Here's a great thread to read to get familiar with Sulcatas.

How To Raise A Healthy Sulcata Or Leopard, Version 2.0

https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php...ealthy-Sulcata-Or-Leopard,-Version-2.0.79895/

There are many more threads about Sulcatas, ranging from diet to housing. Go to the "Browse" section, then "Species Specific", then "African Tortoises", and finally to the "Sulcata Tortoise" section.

T Smart said:

Hi, welcome!

You've got a Sulcata tortoise. He/she is going to get much larger, so be prepared. It helps that your in California, as you'll be able to provide lots of outdoor exposure.

Here's a great thread to read to get familiar with Sulcatas.

How To Raise A Healthy Sulcata Or Leopard, Version 2.0

https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/How-To-Raise-A-Healthy-Sulcata-Or-Leopard,-Version-2.0.79895/

There are many more threads about Sulcatas, ranging from diet to housing. Go to the "Browse" section, then "Species Specific", then "African Tortoises", and finally to the "Sulcata Tortoise" section.

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Thank you! I’m going to get started on reading all about the Sulcata. I’ve got a week before this little Tort comes into my life

Hi and welcome to the forum! Glad you have some time to learn how to take good care of your tortoise!

Welcome! This tort is pyramiding pretty badly, which means it was kept in too dry of an enclosure. Be sure that the humidity in the enclosure is 80-100%, preferably in the 90s, and spray its shell multiple times a day, and give him daily soaks. You might even want to apply a thin layer if organic cold pressed extra virgin coconut oil to the shell. If you keep the shell nice and moist, you may be able to get the pyramiding to stop and have it much less noticeable when he’s an adult.

TechnoCheese said:

Welcome! This tort is pyramiding pretty badly, which means it was kept in too dry of an enclosure. Be sure that the humidity in the enclosure is 80-100%, preferably in the 90s, and spray its shell multiple times a day, and give him daily soaks. You might even want to apply a thin layer if organic cold pressed extra virgin coconut oil to the shell. If you keep the shell nice and moist, you may be able to get the pyramiding to stop and have it much less noticeable when he’s an adult.

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Hi!! It’s come to my attention that this Tortoise has been ignored it doesn’t even have a name but anyhow, thank you!! This poor Tortoise will be under my care pretty soon and I will do my best to keep it healthy.

Welcome, check out some of the outdoor enclosures the members have built here. Especially @Tom that way when you're ready for a outdoors enclosure you know what it entails. Tell us what name you come up with.

Ray--Opo said:

Welcome, check out some of the outdoor enclosures the members have built here. Especially @Tom that way when you're ready for a outdoors enclosure you know what it entails. Tell us what name you come up with.

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Hello! I will, I’m trying to read as much as I can before this little guy comes home with me so I can give it a better life. My little nephew decided to name him B-Mo lol after his favorite Adventure Time character. I hope B-Mo will live a happier and healthier life with me and of course, I’ll keep you all updated!

Mayy_Ruhh said:

Hello! I will, I’m trying to read as much as I can before this little guy comes home with me so I can give it a better life. My little nephew decided to name him B-Mo lol after his favorite Adventure Time character. I hope B-Mo will live a happier and healthier life with me and of course, I’ll keep you all updated!

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B-MO it is! Welcome B-Mo sounds like you have found a great home.

Welcome to the Forum!

Thank you!

TammyJ said:

Hi and welcome to the forum! Glad you have some time to learn how to take good care of your tortoise!

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Thank you!!

Mayy_Ruhh said:

Hello! I will, I’m trying to read as much as I can before this little guy comes home with me so I can give it a better life. My little nephew decided to name him B-Mo lol after his favorite Adventure Time character. I hope B-Mo will live a happier and healthier life with me and of course, I’ll keep you all updated!

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Definitely like the name B-Mo. That way, he B-Mo healthy, B-Mo happy and B-Mo comfortable.

What part of CA are you in? This will help advise you. Different advice for Palm Springs vs. Pacific Pallisades.

This one looks ready to live outside full time, depending on where you are. A heated night box will offer a warm retreat for colder winter days and nights. Here are a couple of ideas:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/another-night-box-thread.88966/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/my-best-night-box-design-yet.66867/

TammyJ said:

Definitely like the name B-Mo. That way, he B-Mo healthy, B-Mo happy and B-Mo comfortable.

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Haha! This is great!

Tom said:

What part of CA are you in? This will help advise you. Different advice for Palm Springs vs. Pacific Pallisades.

This one looks ready to live outside full time, depending on where you are. A heated night box will offer a warm retreat for colder winter days and nights. Here are a couple of ideas:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/another-night-box-thread.88966/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/my-best-night-box-design-yet.66867/

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I am In the Inland Empire. Thank you, I will definitely consider all of this info

Mayy_Ruhh said:

I am In the Inland Empire. Thank you, I will definitely consider all of this info

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Wow....the Inland Empire. Sounds like an amazing place, like from a historical war movie.

Mayra - That's so awesome of you to take in B-Mo! Sulcatas can be very rewarding if you spend the time to care for them. Sulcatas need mostly grass and hay for their diet but can and will also eat most veggies/fruit that you are likely tossing in the trash as you prep food for yourself. I give my guy the scraps from food prepping (from the tops of carrots to a watermelon rind) and joke that he is my fast track composter.

So how is B-Mo doing now?